Kevin Powell, a renowned writer and activist, has publicly criticized Snoop Dogg and Carrie Underwood for their performances at events linked to former President Trump.
Powell accused both artists of abandoning their values and betraying their communities by participating in the celebrations.
Speaking on TMZ Live on Monday, January 20, Powell described Snoop Dogg’s performance at a pre-inauguration ball as a disappointing departure from his long-standing connection to his fan base and community.
“Snoop wasn’t always this way,” Powell remarked, referencing the rapper’s history of advocacy and community involvement.
He went on to claim that Snoop’s decision to perform at the event was driven by financial gain, saying the rapper had “traded his principles for a bag of money.”
Powell also took aim at Carrie Underwood, a known advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and gun control, for performing at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
He criticized her and other artists who participated in the celebrations, accusing them of aligning themselves with a president whose values he described as “sexist, homophobic, racist, transphobic, and xenophobic.”
“It’s a stab in the back to fans who’ve supported their music and their careers,” Powell said, adding that their actions disregarded the diverse communities that make up their fan bases.
Not everyone shares Powell’s perspective. Singer Bobby Valentino, in a separate interview with TMZ, defended the artists, stating that performing at an event does not necessarily imply support for a politician or their views. “A gig is just a gig,” he argued.